NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A man has been arrested and charged with aggravated arson after a fire at Harding Inn.
Investigators said 29-year-old Antoine Dewayne Clark was taken into custody at an East Nashville motel room Thursday afternoon.
The fire Tuesday night left two people injured, including a pregnant woman.
Officials said Clark allegedly threatened to kill a resident of the Harding Inn over personal belongings, which was when he stacked mattresses outside Room 456 and set them on fire.
Six people were trapped inside the room. All were rescued from the balcony by firefighters.
Victims told authorities they saw Clark fleeing the building. They also told investigators he said he hoped they all burned to death.
Clark was arrested while wearing a tracking ankle bracelet placed there by parole and probation officials. Authorities said Clark was a violent sex offender, convicted in 2006 of aggravated sexual battery on a child under the age of 13.
According to those with the Nashville Fire Department, the investigation was ongoing and additional arrests were possible.
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